Normaltown residents trying to save threatened tree

Neighbors are campaigning to convince the developer, Jared York, to save the tree, estimated to be about 80 feet tall and 100 years old. They have organized a petition drive and posted signs near the tree urging York not to cut it down.

"We are trying to persuade him not to cut down the tree," Terry Stewart said.

York has no plans to cut down the tree, he said in a written statement.

"At this time the project we are undertaking on the corner of Talmadge Drive and Belvoir Heights does not require the removal of the large oak tree located at 380 Talmadge Drive," he said. "We have no plans which would require the removal of the tree at this time."

York tore down a house on the 0.38-acre lot earlier this week and plans to build two in its place. He has applied to the Athens-Clarke Planning Department to subdivide the lot, which is under review, county arborist Amy Lopp said. The lot is more than twice the 8,000-square-foot minimum lot size in the neighborhood, allowing it to be split into two lots.

In many cases, the county requires developers to save trees or plant new ones to replace the ones they cut down. The county tree ordinance doesn't protect this tree, though, because it's on a residential lot of less than an acre and is one of fewer than five trees on the lot, Lopp said.

Neighbors believe York can't build two houses without cutting the tree down, but saving it would be a good public-relations move for a company, J.W. York Building, that describes itself as a green builder, Stewart said.

York said his company's houses use 40 percent to 50 percent less energy than typical homes, and he strives to save as much tree canopy as possible.

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